New Audi Q5 off-roader revealed

Audi has expanded its luxury 4WD line-up with the new Q5 off-roader that will take on BMW's X3. JEZ SPINKS reports.

New Audi Q5 off-roader revealed

Audi’s huge product explosion will next send shockwaves into BMW X3 territory with the launch of its new Q5 mid-size luxury 4WD.

The Q5 debuted at the 2008 Beijing motor show and goes on sale in Europe later this year before reaching Australia in early 2009 to join the larger Q7.

The Q5 sits on the same platform as the German car maker’s new A4 sedan, with dimensions – 4.63m long, 1.88m wide – that are slightly bigger than the rival X3.

Expect the five-seater Q5 to be priced from about the low-$60k mark when it goes on sale locally, to keep it competitive with the X3 that starts at $62,990.

Audi claims the Q5’s aerodynamics are best in class and its wheelbase of 2.81m (identical to the A4) is the longest in the segment. The Q5's side profile looks more like a beefed-up A3 five-door hatchback than a smaller Q7, which is good news for the new 4WD's proportions.

All Q5s come standard with Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system, with a choice of three engines.

Two diesel options include a 125kW/350Nm 2.0-litre TDI and 176kW/500Nm 3.0-litre TDI. According to Audi, the Q5 2.0 TDI sprints from 0-100km/h in 9.5 seconds and consumes 6.7 litres of fuel per 100km. The 3.0 TDI’s respective figures are 6.5sec and 7.7L/100km.

The sole petrol engine is a major upgrade of the 2.0-litre turbo that first came to prominence in VW’s current Golf GTI. The new 2.0 TFSI delivers 155kW and 350Nm to propel the Q5 from 0-100km/h in 7.2 seconds, with a fuel economy of 8.5L/100km.

The 2.0-litre turbo petrol and 3.0-litre turbo diesel engines are both mated to a seven-speed S-tronic gearbox, the latest version of VW/Audi’s clever dual-clutch system. The 2.0-litre diesel is teamed with a six-speed manual.

Most Q5s are unlikely to stray far from the bitumen but the new Audi includes some off-roading features.

The Q5 has 200mm of ground clearance and an approach angle of 25 degrees for rockier terrain and steeper climbs. It’s also capable of wading through half a metre of water, says Audi.

Q5 owners can also option an off-road-style body package that includes front and rear underbody protection and 19-inch alloy wheels (17s are standard).

The all-wheel-drive system has 60 per cent of the engine’s torque biased towards the rear wheels (as in the A4 quattro), and can automatically apportion up to 65 per cent torque to the front wheels and a maximum of 85 per cent to the rears to improve grip when needed.

The Q5 can tow up to two tonnes, while its stability control system has a sensor that detects whether a roof rack is fitted. The ESP allows for the resulting higher centre of gravity by lowering the threshold of cornering slip before it reacts by braking individual wheels.

Q5’s options list includes many features available on the new A4 sedan, such as Audi Drive Select (adjustable suspension, steering and throttle), lane-departure warning system, blind-spot alert, rear-view camera, Bang & Olufsen audio, and LED and daytime running lights.

There are three body-trim choices comprising black (standard), two-tone, and full body colour. In addition to the off-road body package, an S-line body kit is available for customers wanting a sportier-looking Q5.

While the Q5 is based on the A4 sedan and A5 coupe, the new 4WD gets its own interior design.

Audi Australia has previously told Drive.com.au that the Q-series models are a vital part of the company’s plan to overhaul BMW in the luxury-car market.